Seven runners from Drogheda and District Athletics Club (DDAC) took part in yesterday's iconic Berlin Marathon.

Just getting to the start line healthy and niggle free is a feat in itself, given the demands placed on a distance runner's body, but executing the race plan and coming away unscathed is another thing entirely.

Thankfully the weather God's were kind with good running conditions on what is probably the best Marathon course in the world.

First to finish for DDAC  was Colin Cuffe who got the early pace right and hung in when the going got tough to claim the bragging rights with his solid run of 3:33:33.

Close behind and having a great run was Helga McDonnell who crossed the line in 3:36:14, followed by Carmel Keenan in 3:40:06.

Jane Glynn couldn't stop smiling and was delighted with her 3:41:55 performance, her efforts in training have paid off in spades.

Next in was Giancarlo Orlandi who always seems to get the pace right and his 3:40:59 clocking shows just how good his race plan was executed. Also running were Linda Cruise with 4:11:42, and Barbara Lowth-Byrne in 4:18:08.

Closer to home, at last weekend's Wicklow Ecotrail run, mountain runner extraordinaire Pól O'Murchu ran well to complete this 47Km course in a noteworthy 5:16:36.

Clubmate Johnny Corcoran, running in the 30Km race, gave a good display of controlled running to finish in 3:33:28.

Also in action last weekend, this time at the Rathfarnham 5K, were Christopher Keenan and Liam Mulligan, two very talented athletes.

Keenan gave a spirited display to finish 10th overall in a field packed full of quality athletes and his time of 15:07 represents sub 5 minute miling, which is good running.

Next in was Mulligan in 15:26 and his journey back to race fitness is well underway on this showing.

Also taking place last Sunday was the first event of the Louth Cross Country season, the Masters Championship and the uneven age group races.